Folding table

ABSTRACT

A folding table which can be folded into a storage position and set up into selected usable positions providing different table top heights. The outer legs are pivotally connecting to spaced apart flanges extending from a bottom surface of a table top. The inner legs are pivotally attached to the outer legs and pivotally joined to a U-shaped link bar at a selected medial position above the inner-outer leg pivot point. The free distal ends of the link bar are pivotally attached to spaced part flanges extending from a bottom surface of the table top. Pivotal movement of the link bar inward legs pivots the table top upward wherein holding means secures the link bar to the inner legs. Pivotal movement of the cross member of the link bar outward allows the inner and outer legs to spread apart at the pivot point lowering the table top to rest upon the distal ends of the inner legs.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/283,308 filed on Aug. 27, 2015 which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of folding tables and inparticular, folding tables having two usable table top heights.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Folding tables of many configurations are known. Card tables with fourlegs that are rotatably connected, one at each corner of the table andinclude an angular spreader bar to limit the rotation of cach leg andlock in place with the legs at about a right angle are common.

Long folding tables are known with a pair of legs at each end of thetable hinged to the bottom surface of the table with bi-folding hingedspreader bars which lock the legs at about a right angle with the tabletop.

TV tables have folding X-shaped legs wherein, one top end of one leg isrotatably connected near one corner of the table and the top end of theother leg is free to slide along the bottom surface of the table top toa locked position with the bottoms of the legs spread to a usableposition to support the table on the floor.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,365 by Cheng et al incorporated herein by referenceteaches a folding table with two pairs of folding legs. The first pairof legs is pivotally connected to the table top.

The second pair of legs is pivotally connected to the first pair oflegs. A U-shaped handle is also pivotally connected to the second pairof legs. The U-shaped handle is also pivotally connected to the tabletop. The free ends of the side bars of the U-shaped handle contact andinterlock with the ends of the second pair of legs to limit the movementof the two pairs of folding legs as they are folded outward to a tablesupporting position to provide a stable upright configuration of thelegs.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,604 by Jiang incorporated herein by referenceteaches a folding table with two pairs of folding legs. The first pairof legs is pivotally connected to the table top. The second pair of legsis pivotally connected to the first pair of legs. A U-shaped handle isalso pivotally connected to the second pair of legs. The U-shaped handleis also pivotally connected to the table top. The U-shaped handleincludes two fixed lugs extending sideways and outward from the sidebars of the U-shaped handle. These lugs limit the movement of the twopairs of folding legs as they are folded outward to a table supportingposition to provide a stable upright configuration of the legs.

The present invention includes a link bar for changing the height of thetable top. The improvements comprise swept back extensions of the upperfree ends of the second pair of legs, the removal of two fixed lugs oneither side of the U-shaped handle, and the addition of a rotatable lugat the center of a spreader connecting the second pair of legs to oneanother. The rotatable lug provides two usable positions of the tabletop, one at a lower position than the other. When the rotatable lug isperpendicular to the spreader, the lug acts as a stop for the U-shapedhandle, providing a first fixed height for the table. When the rotatablelug is rotated parallel to the spreader, the U-shaped handle is allowedto rotate past the spreader and the swept back extensions of the secondpair of legs come into contact with the bottom surface of the table top,thus providing a second lower fixed height for the table.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A folding table which can be folded into a storage position and set upinto selected usable positions providing different table top heights.The table includes and inner and outer pair of legs as well as aU-shaped bar. The distal end of the outer legs are pivotally connectingto spaced apart flanges extending from a bottom surface of a table top.The inner legs are pivotally attached to the outer legs and pivotallyjoined to a U-shaped link bar at a selected medial position above theinner-outer leg pivot point. The free distal ends of the link bar arepivotally attached to spaced part flanges extending from a bottomsurface of the table top. Pivotal movement of the cross member of thelink bar inward toward parallel alignment with the inner legs pivots thetable top upward wherein holding means such as a pin or bolt or rivet orscrew secures the link bar to the inner legs. Pivotal movement of thecross member of the link bar outward allows the inner and outer legs tospread apart at the pivot point lowering the table top to rest upon thedistal ends of the inner legs. The U-shaped link is used to change themode of the table from the storage position to either the first heightor the second height and back again. A movable lug is used to select oneof two usable heights for the table top.

More particularly, a folding table has a top and bottom surface, a pairof first legs each having an upper and lower end, a first pair of lugseach for pivotally connecting one of the respective first upper leg endsto the bottom surface of the table. A pair of second legs each have anupper and lower end, and are positioned inwardly between the pair offirst legs. A first pair of pivot pins pivotally join one of therespective first and second legs so that the legs can extend crosswiseunderneath the table when the table is unfolded to an upright position.A U-shaped link bar including two parallel members and a cross member.The link bar has a first and a second free end, a second pair of lugseach pivotally connect one of the respective link bar free ends to thebottom surface of the table. A second pair of pivot pins pivotally jointhe link bar through a respective one of the parallel members to arespective one of the second legs at the upper end thereof. The link baris positioned inwardly between the pair of second legs.

The improvement comprises, or consists of a horizontal spreader barjoining the pair of second legs to one another just above the secondpivot pins. A rectangular lug rotatably connected to the spreader barcapable of contacting and limiting rotation of the U-shaped link as theU-shaped link is caused to rotate causing the pair of first legs and thepair of second legs to diverge to a first table supporting configurationThe rotatable is lug capable of being rotated to a position parallel tothe spreader bar, thus allowing the U-shaped link to rotate past therotatable lug. The pair of second legs include swept back elbows at theupper free ends thereof and provide stops which contact a bottom surfaceof the table allowing the first pair of legs and the second pair of legsto diverge to a second table supporting configuration.

A folding table includes a table top, a first outer pair of folding legspivotally connected to the bottom surface of the table top, a secondpair of inner legs rotatably connected to the first pair of legs, aU-shaped handle rotatably connected to the bottom surface of the tabletop and rotatably connected to the second pair of legs. The first pairof legs are fixedly connected to one another by a spreader bar near thebase of the legs. The second pair of legs are also fixedly connected toone another by another stretcher bar near the base of the legs but areconnected again with a third spreader bar below the pivot pointconnecting the second pair of legs to the U-shaped handle. Due to arotatable lug on the third spreader bar, the legs can be locked ineither one of two stable positions and thus two table heights areprovided.

One preferred embodiment to the folding table comprises or consists of atable top having a top surface and a bottom surface. A first pair ofouter legs include an upper end and a lower end wherein each one of thelower ends have an outwardly extending lower leg segment formedextending downward at an obtuse angle. A first pair of spaced apartconnector means such as rivets, bolts, pins, screws, each one pivotallyconnecting a distal end of the upper end of the pair of outer legs tothe bottom surface of the table top. A second pair of inner legs eachone having an upper and lower end are positioned inwardly between thefirst pair of outer legs. The lower end of the pair of outer legsinclude an outwardly extending lower leg segment formed extendingdownward at an obtuse angle. An inner cross brace member extends betweenthe second pair of inner legs joining the inner legs and is disposednear the, obtuse angle. An outer cross brace member extends between thesecond pair of outer legs joining the outer legs and is disposed nearthe obtuse angle. A pair of leg pivot means each for pivotally joiningone of the respective first and second legs so that the first pair ofouter legs and second pair of inner legs extend diagonally underneaththe table when the table is unfolded to an upright position. An U-shapedlink bar formed with a first arm member and a second arm member isspaced apart and parallel to one another joined by a central link barcross member. The first arm member has a first free end and a the secondarm member has a second free end. A pair of spaced apart link barconnector means such as a bolt, screw, rivet, or pin pivotally connectthe link bar first arm member first free end and the link bar second armmember second free end to the bottom surface of the table. A first linkbar pivot means comprising a bolt, screw, rivet, or pin pivotallyconnects a medial section of the link bar first arm member to a selectedpoint of the second inner leg between the leg pivot means and tablesupporting distal end of an upper portion of the second inner leg. Asecond link bar pivot means comprising a rivet, screw, bolt, or pinpivotally connects a medial section of the link bar second arm member toa selected point of the second inner leg between the leg pivot means andtable supporting distal end of an upper portion of the second inner leg.The table supporting distal end of the inner leg includes an inwardlycurved top portion. A stop means comprising a lug capable of contactingand limiting rotation of the link bar. A friction enhancing base or footsuch as a rubber or elastomeric end cap may be included to reduceslippage of the table on the floor.

It is an object of this invention to provide a folding table which hasan upright storage position, first usable position with a first tableheight and a second usable position with a shorter table height.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a table supportingdistal end of an upper portion of the second inner leg having aninwardly curved upper end to maximize structural support and minimizethe width of the frame under the table top.

It is an object of the present invention to connect a medial section ofthe link bar second arm member to a selected point of the second innerleg between the leg pivot means and table supporting distal end of anupper portion of the second inner leg in order to determine the spacingbetween a an upper table top position and a lower table top position.

It is an object of this invention to provide a folding table which has apair of folding legs configured in an X-shape with an additional foldingjoint in the upper half of one of the legs.

It is an object of this invention to provide a folding table whichincludes a U-shaped carry handle which is also used to fold the tableinto either of the usable positions or into the storage position.

It is an object of this invention to provide a folding table which isself supporting in the storage position due to a dog-leg at the bottomof the four legs.

It is an object of this invention to provide a folding table whichincludes a movable lug which is in one position for holding the legs inthe first usable position and in a second position to allow the legs tomove into a second position for holding the legs in the second usableposition.

It is an object of this invention to provide a folding table wherein thesecond pair of legs described above include back swept extensions at theupper ends thereof for contacting and butting against the bottom surfaceof the table top, thus providing a stop position for the legs when themovable lug is the position which allows the U-shaped handle to bypassthe movable lug.

It is an object of the present invention to form the lower end of thepair of outer legs and lower end of the pair of inner legs to include anoutwardly extending lower leg segment formed extending downward at anobtuse angle. In order to increase the stability of the table supportedby the cross members and provide a wide support for the base.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will beapparent with the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present invention will be had uponreference to the following description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like partsthroughout the views wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the folding table in the extended maximumheight configuration;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the folding table in the storageconfiguration;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the folding table in the storage configuration;and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the folding table in the lower levelheight configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a foldingtable 10. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the table includes a table top 12 witha bottom surface and a top surface, a first outer pair 50 of parallellegs connected by a spreader bar 48, a second inner pair of parallellegs 52 connected by two spreader bars 42 and 46. It can be seen in FIG.2 that the inner pair of legs 52 are between the outer legs 50. The twopairs of legs are pivotally connected by two pins 30, preferably justabove the vertical center of the two. The first pair of legs 50 arepivotally connected to the bottom surface of the table top 12 by pins 15passing through apertures in downward extending lugs 16. As shown inFIG. 2, the inner legs 52 and outer legs 50 have a front side whichfaces away from the bottom surface of the table top 12 when folded inthe upright storage mode.

AU-shaped handle and table top support comprises a link bar 38 ispivotally connected to the bottom surface of the table by pins15 passingthrough apertures in downward extending lugs 14 which are spaced apartfrom the lugs 16. The Link bar 38 includes two parallel bars and a crossbar connecting the two parallel bars. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, thecross bar of the Link bar 38 is at the top when the table is in thevertical storage position.

The spreader bar 42 is located just above the pivot pins 30 on the innerlegs 52. A rectangular lug 40 is pivotally connected to the spreader bar42 by a pin 41 preferably near the horizontal center of the bar 42. Asshown in FIG. 2, the lug 40 is preferably parallel to the vertical legs52 and is on the rear side of the spreader bar 42.

The Link bar 38 is pivotally connected to the inner pair 52 of legs bypins 32 near the vertical center of the Link bar 38. The pivot pins 32are spaced apart from the pivot pins 30 by a distance just less than thedistance between the pins 32 and the outer surface of the Link bar 38 sothat, as the handle 38 is pivoted about pins 32, the handle is capableof passing by the spreader bar 42 when the lug 40 is turned parallel tothe spreader bar 42. Thus, the Link bar 38 is rotated in an arc to causethe inner legs 52 and the outer legs 50 to diverge from one another toprovide a stable support for the table top 12. When the table is foldedin the upright storage position shown in FIG. 2 and the handle 38 ispulled forward, the two pairs of legs 50 and 52 diverge as shown in FIG.5 and the table top 12 is becomes level as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

When the lug 40 is rotated perpendicular to the spreader bar 42, as theLink bar is rotated, the handle contacts the lug 40 and is preventedform rotating further, thus providing a first fixed height for the tabletop 12 shown in FIG. 1.

The top ends of the inner legs 52 terminate with curved segments formingelbows 26 which extend front-wards such that as the Link bar 38 isrotated past the spreader bar 42, the free ends of the elbows 26 contactthe bottom surface of the table top 12 as shown in FIG. 4, causing theinner legs 52 to stop in a stable position holding the table at a secondfixed height which is lower than the first fixed height described above.A pair of spaced part parallel strips of resilient material such as aplastic or metal strip 60 optionally extends across the bottom surfaceof the table top in order to support the distal end of the elbowscontacting the bottom surface of the table. When the lug 40 is rotatedparallel to the spreader bar 42, the Link bar passes by the lug 40 andis allowed to rotate further until the ends of the elbows 26 contact thebottom surface of the table top 12, thus providing a second lower fixedheight for the table top 12 shown in FIG. 4.

The two pairs of legs 50 and 52 include diverging ‘dog legs’ bends 25near the bottoms of the legs which provide a wider stance or foot printfor the table and also enables the table to stand in a stable state whenfolded into the upright storage position as shown in FIG. 3. It can beseen that the table is more stable when configured in the second lowerfixed height because the legs provide a wider footprint.

The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness ofunderstanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understoodtherefrom, for modification will become obvious to those skilled in theart upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing fromthe spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.Accordingly, this invention is not intended to be limited by thespecific exemplification presented herein above. Rather, what isintended to be covered is within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim:
 1. A folding table consisting of: a table top having a topsurface and a bottom surface; a pair of outer legs each having an upperend and a lower end; a first pair of spaced apart connector means, eachone pivotally connecting a distal end of a respective first upper outerleg and a second upper outer leg to the bottom surface of said tabletop; a pair of second inner legs each having an upper and lower end, andpositioned inwardly between aid pair of first outer legs; a pair of legpivot means each for pivotally joining one of the respective first andsecond legs so that said first pair of outer legs and second pair ofinner legs extend diagonally underneath said table when said table isunfolded to an upright position; a U-shaped link bar formed with a firstarm member and a second arm member spaced apart and parallel to oneanother joined by a central link bar cross member, said first arm memberhaving a first free end and a said second arm member having a secondfree end; a pair of spaced apart link bar connector means each forpivotally connecting said link bar first arm member first free end andsaid link bar second arm member second free end to said bottom surfaceof said table; a first link bar pivot means for pivotally connecting amedial section of said link bar first arm member to a selected point ofsaid second inner leg between said leg pivot means and table supportingdistal end of an upper portion of said second inner leg; a second linkbar pivot means for pivotally connecting a medial section of said linkbar second arm member to a selected point of said second inner legbetween said leg pivot means and table supporting distal end of an upperportion of said second inner leg; and a stop means comprising a lugcapable of contacting and limiting rotation of said link bar.
 2. Afolding table consisting of: a table top having a top surface and abottom surface; a first pair of outer legs each having an upper end anda lower end, each one of said lower end of said pair of outer legsincluding an outwardly extending lower leg segment formed extendingdownward at an obtuse angle; a first pair of spaced apart connectormeans, each one pivotally connecting a distal end of said upper end ofsaid pair of outer legs to said bottom surface of said table top; asecond pair of inner legs each one having an upper and lower end, andpositioned inwardly between said first pair of outer legs, said lowerend of said pair of outer legs including an outwardly extending lowerleg segment formed extending downward at an obtuse angle; a inner crossbrace member extending between said second pair of inner legs joiningsaid inner legs disposed near said obtuse angle; an outer cross bracemember extending between said second pair of outer legs joining saidouter legs disposed near said obtuse angle; a pair of leg pivot meanseach for pivotally joining one of the respective first and second legsso that said first pair of outer legs and second pair of inner legsextend diagonally underneath said table when said table is unfolded toan upright position; a U-shaped link bar formed with a first arm memberand a second arm member spaced apart and parallel to one another joinedby a central link bar cross member, said first arm member having a firstfree end and a said second arm member having a second free end; a pairof spaced apart link bar connector means each for pivotally connectingsaid link bar first arm member first free end and said link bar secondarm member second free end to said bottom surface of said table; a firstlink bar pivot means for pivotally connecting a medial section of saidlink bar first arm member to a selected point of said second inner legbetween said leg pivot means and table supporting distal end of an upperportion of said second inner leg; a second link bar pivot means forpivotally connecting a medial section of said link bar second arm memberto a selected point of said second inner leg between said leg pivotmeans and table supporting distal end of an upper portion of said secondinner leg; said table supporting distal end of said inner leg includingan inwardly curved top portion; and a stop means comprising a lugcapable of contacting and limiting rotation of said link bar andincluding a friction enhancing base.
 3. A folding table having a tabletop comprising a top and a bottom surface, a pair of first legs eachhaving an upper and lower end, a first pair of lugs each for pivotallyconnecting one of said respective first upper leg ends to the bottomsurface of said table, a pair of second legs each having an upper andlower end, and positioned inwardly between said pair of first legs, afirst pair of pivot pins each for pivotally joining one of saidrespective first and second legs so that said legs can extend diagonallyunderneath said table when said table is unfolded to an uprightposition, a U-shaped link bar formed with two parallel members and across member, said bar having first and second free ends, a second pairof lugs each for pivotally connecting one of said respective link barfree ends to said bottom surface of said table, and a second pair ofpivot pins each for pivotally joining said link bar through a respectiveone of said parallel members to a respective one of said second legs atsaid upper end thereof, said link bar being positioned inwardly betweensaid pair of second legs, the improvement comprising: a horizontalspreader bar joining said pair of second legs just above said secondpivot pins, said spreader bar including a rectangular lug capable ofcontacting and limiting rotation of said U-shaped link as said U-shapedlink is caused to rotate for the purpose of causing said first pair oflegs and said second pair of legs to diverge to a first table supportingconfiguration, said rotatable lug capable of being rotated to a positionparallel to said spreader bar, thus allowing said U-shaped link torotate past said rotatable lug; and said second legs including a sweptback elbows at upper free ends thereof providing stops which contact abottom surface of said table top, thus allowing said first pair of legsand said second pair of legs to diverge to a lower table top supportingconfiguration.